Head of School

Job Description

St. Monica's Montessori School in Fargo, ND serves 44 students aged 3 to 12 in Pre-K through 6th grade. We offer a comprehensive Montessori program, including Children's House (children ages 3-6),
Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grade), Upper Elementary (4th-6th grade), and a unique homeschool coop support program. Each classroom is led by a certified Montessori Guide or a Guide in training, supported by an Assistant, ensuring individualized attention and expert instruction. .

St. Monica's Montessori seeks a new Head of School for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Our new leader will have the opportunity to continue to celebrate our school's strengths, recognize our needs, and collaboratively work towards nurturing our growth. As a collaborative leader, the Head of School works closely with the parish leadership team, faculty, staff, families, and other stakeholders to complete the mission and achieve our goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Our Head of School serves as the school's spiritual, instructional, organizational, and community leader.

As spiritual leader, the Head of School collaborates with the president in advancing the evangelizing mission of the school through an integrated Catholic Montessori model. As lead witness, the Head of School supports faith formation activities for students and their families; and integrates the Catholic faith into all aspects of school life.

As instructional leader, the Head of School works with the guides to plan, support, and evaluate the instructional program establishing goals and dispositions necessary for successful student life. The Head of School also assures that instruction and formation meet the various needs and abilities of the students. Finally, the Head of School facilitates the professional growth of the staff and guides building upon the strong foundation that exists in a true Catholic Montessori Community.

As organizational leader, the Head of School selects, supervises, and evaluates guides and other staff; provides leadership and insight in strategic planning efforts; ensures effective use of personnel resources
and the physical plant; and collaborates with both the President and the Board in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and financial planning. The Head of School prepares the school budget in dialogue with the President and with accountability to the Board.

As community leader, and under the direction of the President, the Head of School collaborates with guides and staff to develop and encourage broad family and student participation in the total school program. The Head of School supports the President in keeping the local parishes and the broader community informed about the school's programs and assists in communicating the school's philosophy to the public.

The successful candidate must be someone who:
-Is a practicing and active Catholic who shows an understanding and commitment to the mission of both Catholic education and the Montessori philosophy of education and is enthusiastic to embrace the goals of St. Monica's Montessori school community
-Has a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (Master's Degree preferred) and/or demonstrated leadership skills within an educational and/or corporate setting
-Exercises leadership and vision
-Demonstrates superior written and verbal communication skills
-Develops and fosters the philosophy of Montessori education throughout the entire community, including local parishes, guides, staff, parents, alumni and donors
-Assures compliance with all laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures

Preferred attributes:
-Experience teaching in a Montessori school and Catholic school leadership at the primary or secondary educational level
-Experience in church-related ministry with an understanding of the nature of a Catholic education in the Montessori tradition
-Demonstrated record of leadership ability and accomplishments
-Outstanding poise, presence, and communication skills
-Demonstrated experience in collaborative leadership

About the Employer

At St. Monica's Montessori, our mission is to serve children by combining the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith with the genius of Montessori philosophy to guide children to discover, enjoy, and attain their divine mission in this life and the next.